Resources for Parents
As a parent, the health and well-being of your family is one of your most meaningful responsibilities. We want to provide information, tools, and guidance for supporting your child’s mental health. Trying to manage situations that negatively impact a child’s mental well-being or find treatment for a mental health condition often leaves parents feeling confused, overwhelmed, and unsure of where to start. We believe in the power of self-care and have included resources that can help provide encouragement and support for parents, too.
Mental Health Information
MentalHealth.Gov: What Parents and Caregivers Should Know – This trustworthy site is a good place for parents and caregivers to find information about mental health to support their child. Learn the signs for potential mental health issues, what you can do to help, and how to talk to your teen about their mental health. Information available in Spanish.
Talking to Kids about Mental Illnesses – This article from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry offers helpful tips on starting the conversation about mental health with your preschool, school-age, or teenage children.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression in Teenagers? – Since adolescents are often moody, it can be difficult to recognize when your son or daughter has become depressed and might need help. This Child Mind Institute article explains symptoms and types of depression, as well as why early intervention is critical. Information available in Spanish.
What to Do if You're Worried About Suicide – This parent’s guide to helping a child in distress includes helpful information on how to talk about your concerns, show empathy, prioritize the positive, minimize conflict, and more. Information available in Spanish.
What to Do in a Crisis – When someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or showing signs of suicidal behavior, it’s important to take it seriously, ask questions, and get help. This article offers step-by-step advice for helping someone through a crisis.
A Parents’ Guide to Social Media Apps
As parents, you’ve seen your kids spend hours on their phones, using Instagram, Snapchat, and other apps. Here’s some information about these and other mobile apps, along with tips for keeping your children safe online.
Social Media Apps Kids Are Using Right Now
A Complete Guide to Potentially Dangerous Apps All Parents Should Be Aware Of
How Parents Can Help a Child Who is Being Bullied
There are many factors that can impact a person’s mental health, and bullying can be one of those factors. Various data sources indicate 20% of U.S. students ages 12 to18 years old experienced bullying (source: www.stopbullying.gov). The Centers for Disease Control has found that youth who report both being bullied and bullying others have the highest rates of negative mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thinking. Here are some resources that can help parents find ways to address bullying and support their child.
My Child is Being Bullied - What Should I Do?
Is Your Child Being Bullied? 9 Steps You Can Take As a Parent
This bullying prevention app is for parents, educators, and caregivers. Research shows that parents and caregivers who spend at least 15 minutes a day talking with their children or teens help build strong relationships and prevent bullying. This free app will help you boost your child’s confidence and resilience and build effective strategies for facing bullying.
The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto – This excerpt from Daring Greatly by Brené Brown that includes loving and encouraging reminders that strengthen the bonds between parent and child.
Using Therapy to Support Your Child through Bullying – Bullying can take a toll on mental health and have long-lasting negative effects. Parents can help their children process their experiences and learn positive ways to cope with this difficult situation. Additionally, therapy can help a child regain self-esteem and learn ways to build positive friendships.
How You Can Support a Child in Overcoming Substance Use
Tips for Parents of Addicted Children – This article has great tips and questions that parents can use in conversation. It also includes self-care tips for parents and caregivers.
Guide for Parents of Addicted Children and Teens Part I: The Addiction Problem – This parent guide from American Addiction Centers offers helpful information about substance use, including signs, prevalence, myth versus fact, and coexistence with mental illness.
Guide for Parents of Addicted Children and Teens Part II: Intervening and Getting Help – If you’re looking for information on how to intervene with a child who has substance use issues, what to consider when choosing a rehab facility, or how to care for other family members involved, review this guide created by American Addiction Centers.
Support for Parents and Families
Coffee Days – Coffee Days is a free monthly peer support group for mothers and female caretakers of young people with emotional or mental health challenges. Women often come into the group feeling frustrated and alone in the fight for the health of their child and leave feeling supported, encouraged, and armed with new information and resources for mental health.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – NAMI offers a variety of education classes, including Mental Health First Aid, a public education program that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. NAMI also provides support groups for parents, family members, and individuals living with a mental health condition.
Depression and Bipolar Alliance (DBSA) – DBSA provides a variety of in-person and virtual support groups, as well as specialized groups for young adults, military veterans, female minority veterans, seniors aged 60 years and older in English and Spanish, and for friends, families, and caregivers caring for loved ones with mood disorders.
Mental Health America of Greater Dallas (MHA) – MHA provides free support groups for anxiety and depression, as well as a skill-building group for people living with behavioral concerns.
Anthem Strong Families – Anthem Strong families offers a plethora of programming in English and Spanish including classes for anger management, parenting, money management, mental health awareness, and domestic violence awareness. They also offer mini-clinics to help with communication skills to create healthy families.
Good Life Family Magazine – Good Life Family Magazine highlights the importance of mental health in each issue, featuring articles with stories, tips, and resources in the Dallas area for mental health.
Navigate Life Texas – Navigate Life Texas provides moving, inspirational, and helpful tips for parents and professionals in English and Spanish about topics ranging from finances to dealing with mental illness. The website was developed by parents, for parents, to inform and empower parents of children with disabilities or special healthcare needs, including mental health. This project is supported by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Information available in Spanish.